Wednesday, 29 December 2010

The taps

Our last fall of snow in Edinburgh was so light that it was like beaten egg white. Flakes stuck to every possible surface, clinging on to the rough surface of the rubber insulation round these allotment taps. Ribbons of snow hung from twigs, like the original Christmas garlands.

The allotment taps are good value as photo subjects. Back in 2009 they provided an ice garden.

Now there's a thaw everywhere. Stepping outside this morning I could smell the earth, which made me immediately long for spring and sowing seeds and working outside. We are still up on Speyside, so there is a lot of earth around - fields of it just outside the garden. But even in Edinburgh today the scent of the earth will be there. The sky is mild and blue, and it's hard to think that we have what are usually the two worst months of the winter to get through yet.

When we used to get a January thaw back in New Hampshire, we were always so foolishly hopeful and went barefoot for just a little bit. Then it was back to winter, which sometimes lasted into May with the odd late snowfall. I know what you mean about that smell of the earth. Ah, well, time to get the gardening catalogs out!

We've nothing blooming right now except for my dear little pansies in a planter!

Hello again Linda ! .. that is what we call "Sticky Snow" here in Canada I love those taps ! they do make a fantastic subject for all the weather that stays behind ? LOL .. The ribbons of snow are fantastic too !I do know what yo mean about the smell of the earth and how it creates that feeling for being in the garden .. it will be a long time before we smell anything like that .. but it is nice to read about it and remember that eventually we will also have it here too !Joy : )Happy New Year to come !

The last snowfall was only a sprinkling here but it hung around for days as it was so cold. It's all melted now leaving dampness and fog. Happy New Year, Linda. Wishing you a happy, healthy and peaceful 2011.